Free All the Single Ladies by Jane Costello

being a grade-one arse. If they gave prizes for being a tosser, he’d have a cupboard full. He
is King Knobhead in my eyes. And I’ve told him as much.’
    I realize I’m a tad shell-shocked by this diatribe. ‘You think he’s doing the wrong thing, then?’
    ‘Wrong thing?’ she blusters, throwing up her hands. ‘Look. We know that Jamie was cut from a different cloth from you and me. He’s always been a bit different. We knew
that when he was nine and he announced to Mum – on mince and chips night, no less – that he was becoming a vegan and he wanted her to make his Angel Delight out of soya milk. And, look,
it’s great that he’s different. In fact, it’s lovely. It makes Jamie who he is.’
    I frown, taking this in. ‘You’re almost convincing me he’s doing the right thing, Lisa.’
    ‘I hadn’t finished,’ she says decisively. ‘What’s as important is that Jamie honestly and truly believes that he’s met the love of his life: you. And I
believe that too. The whole family does.’
    I feel a swell of gratitude.
    ‘I just can’t help thinking, Sam, that while he’s entitled to never settle down, that won’t make him happy. He’s setting himself up for a life with no kids, no
proper family, no ties. And I know Jamie. Ultimately, that’s not going to make him satisfied. He loves kids too much.’
    ‘But he doesn’t want kids. He’s always said that,’ I point out.
    ‘He was playing with our Suzuki yesterday and didn’t even mind when she wired up his nipples to the Operation tweezers. The boy’s a natural,’ she says, thumping her hand
on the coffee table. ‘He just doesn’t realize it.’
    I suppress a smile.
    ‘At the end of the day, this big adventure isn’t going to make Jamie happier or more content,’ she adds. ‘Only you are, Sam. If only the idiot would recognize
it.’
    I close my eyes and put my head in my hands. ‘So what you’re saying is that I need to let him go to South America, do what he needs to do, and then realize he misses me?’
    ‘You can’t wait around for ever,’ she says, wide-eyed. ‘We need to stop him going.’
    ‘You think that’s possible?’
    ‘I’ll do my best, Sam,’ she replies firmly. ‘That’s all I can promise. I’ll do my absolute best.’

Chapter 14
    ‘When you said, “Let’s grab a late lunch”, I thought you meant a couple of toasties at Costa Coffee,’ I tell Ellie as she orders a large glass of
wine in San Carlo. The restaurant is bustling with a suited-and-booted crowd talking costs, opportunities and a host of other corporate concerns. In other words, not what Ellie and I are about to
discuss.
    ‘Make the most of it,’ she replies, flicking her napkin on her lap. ‘When your friend wants to buy you lunch, don’t complain.’
    ‘How come you’re able to do lunch anyway? You haven’t broken up for the holidays yet, have you?’ I ask.
    ‘No, but I’ve spent the morning at another school for a moderating meeting. I was meant to be there all day, but it finished early.’
    ‘Right. I haven’t got long though, I warn you. I’ve got a million things to do when I get back to the office, especially as I need to leave early.’
    She pours me some water. ‘How are you feeling about seeing Jamie tonight?’
    I hesitate. ‘Fine.’ The reality is that as much as I’m desperate to see him, I’m also terrified. Which is ludicrous. This is a man in whose presence I’ve been
almost every day for the last six years. Feeling nervous around him is wrong. ‘I just want to play this right,’ I add.
    She pops an olive into her mouth. ‘Well, remember: act cool. You might not be feeling cool, but act it.’
    I nod and take a sip of water to alleviate my suddenly dry mouth.
    ‘And don’t – no matter how tempted you are – start discussing your relationship. Even if he brings it up, change the subject. We don’t want you saying anything that
could be interpreted as putting pressure on him. He’s got to